Predictive Analytics

Conshohocken, Pa. -- Ikea has announced plans to install solar energy panels on two distribution centers in the Eastern United States. Installation will occur this summer on the chain’s center in Perryville, Md., and Westampton, N.J. Both projects will rank among the largest commercial rooftop solar installations in the United States, and their implementation will extend the Ikea solar presence to nearly 89% of its U.S. locations.

Roseville, Calif. -- Revionics, a provider of price optimization systems, announced it has acquired the business and related assets of Retail Optimization, New Haven, Conn., a provider of cloud-based assortment and space optimization systems. Terms were not disclosed.

Atlanta -- A report released Monday by First Data Corp. found that same-store consumer spending by credit, signature debit, PIN debit, EPT cards and checks at U.S. retail locations rose 7% year-over-year. April’s growth was 5.7%.

The First Data SpendTrend analysis for the full month of May 2012 showed that, although consumers continued to spend at a healthy clip early in the month, activity did slow as the month progressed. Transaction growth in May held fairly steady at 5.9%.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales increased by 1.1% in May, a lower-than-expected increase that may be due to underlying economic and industry factors.

The results for the five weeks ended June 2 included a 1.3% increase in front-end comps and a 1% increase in pharmacy sales over May 2011. Same-store prescription count increased 2.6%. Total drug store sales for the period increased 0.3% to nearly $2.5 billion, compared with $2.45 billion in May 2011.

By Chris Precious, [email protected]

Vancouver, BC, Canada -- Lululemon Athletic Inc. reported Thursday that profit for the fiscal first quarter surged 40% to $46.4 million, compared with $33.4 million last year, but lowered second quarter and full-year forecasts have alarmed investors.

Revenue for the quarter surged 53% to $285.7 million, beating Wall Street’s expected $274 million, and same-store sales rose 25%. Online sales nearly tripled in the quarter.

Target’s plan to achieve $6 billion in Canadian sales by 2017 is doable, according to Bernstein Research analyst Colin McGranahan, who notes the company’s goal is dependent on achieving sales productivity levels higher than the United States.

By Stephen J. Pargeter, [email protected]

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Tuesday posted May sales of nearly $6 billion, a decrease of 1.6% as compared with the same month in fiscal year 2011.

Chicago -- Charming Charlie said Tuesday it has selected ShopperTrak to measure, analyze and deliver store-performance data for its nearly 200 locations.

ShopperTrak's Managed Service, which provides access to secure and anonymous foot-traffic data and actionable analyses, is currently being installed in all Charming Charlie stores and will continue through November 2012.